In January I will begin the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction program at San Francisco Theological Seminary. I will attend a three-week intensive on-campus every January for three years.

Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice of the church for, as the name implies, learning to direct the spiritual lives of others.

For example, I hope to become better equipped to give spiritual guidance to others — better able to respond to questions like “How should I pray?” Many people have been taught simple, childhood prayers like “Now I lay me down to sleep,” but, it is also important to learn to pray as an adult in order to face the many challenges life brings.

Spiritual Direction also focuses on practices and experiences for living out what Jesus calls the Greatest Commandment: to love God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

One quote about spiritual direction that has stuck with me is from Sallie McFague's Life Abundant: "After years of talking about God (what theologians are paid to do!), I am becoming acquainted with God. This conversion has occurred quite deliberately: I engaged a spiritual director and have undertaken a daily pattern of meditation. I am meeting God and God is love. How outrageous as well as platitudinous that sounds! I can scarcely believe I am writing it, let alone intending to publish it. Why am I doing so? Simply because it is true; it is what has happened, is happening, to me."

In short, I feel called to become a spiritual director to share the good news of God’s Loving Presence that is always around us and the gift of our belovedness by God. I also feel called to teach contemplative prayer to others and to model life-giving practices like Sabbath-keeping, hospitality, and solidarity with the marginalized.